The Tobs name is short for "Tobacconists," a nod to Wilson's standing as one of the world's largest tobacco markets, dating back to the original Wilson Tobacconists of 1908, who won the Eastern Carolina League title in 1909. Between stints as the Wilson Bugs in the Virginia League during the 1920s and a run in the Coastal Plain League starting in 1939, the Tobs name became permanent. The 1941 Tobs went 87-30 to win the Coastal Plain League by more than 20 games and were later recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time.
Wilson joined the Carolina League in 1956 at Fleming Stadium, going through Phillies, Senators, Orioles, and Pirates affiliations within a few seasons before settling with the Minnesota Twins in 1961. The Tobs won the 1959 Carolina League championship, sweeping the first-place Raleigh Capitals in a best-of-seven series despite finishing the regular season six and a half games behind them. Future Pittsburgh pitcher Tom Butters threw a one-hit shutout in the deciding game.
On September 14, 1955, in the middle of the Tobs' Carolina League years, Elvis Presley performed a concert at Fleming Stadium. The ballpark also later hosted future Hall of Famer Rod Carew in 1966 and was managed in 1960 by Jack McKeon, who would go on to manage the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 2003.
Wilson's pedigree as a baseball town runs deep: more than 100 players who passed through Fleming Stadium over the decades went on to play in the major leagues, and the Tobs name lives on today as a summer collegiate team. The rapid-fire singsong chant of a tobacco auctioneer calling bids across a warehouse floor was as familiar a sound in Wilson as anything else in the city, and this design's mascot is a direct nod to that local figure. A tobacco auctioneer, not the leaf itself, grounds the Tobs in the specific economy of Wilson's market days rather than in the crop more generally.
Retro Baseball Revival celebrates historic baseball teams with unique apparel, honoring their legacy and bringing history to one-of-a-kind clothing with our old school retro baseball tees from defunct Minor League Baseball teams. All of our high quality apparel is designed, printed, and shipped within the USA. This collection features 100% original designs based on the history and nicknames of historic minor league teams.
Our premium lightweight shirts are the hugely popular Bella+Canvas brand 3001 tees. They are much lighter and thinner feeling than a traditional heavyweight tee. They also are more form fitting and feel more snug. These are generally 90% to 100% cotton, although please note that heather colors in this item are 52% cotton.
Size Guide: Fit is true to size or a little snug. Considering ordering one size up if you are normally between sizes.
Brand: Bella Canvas | Product ID: 3001
- Made with 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)) that is easy to layer, breathable. Perfect for active and leisure wear.
- The retail fit that is perfect for casual and semi-formal settings. The crew neckline adds a classic, neat style that's perfect for accessorizing.
- Bella+Canvas manufactures all its products in the US and internationally in humane, no-sweat-shop, sustainable way and is part of the Fair Labor Association as well as Platinum WRAP certified.
- The tear-away label minimizes skin irritations.
- Fabric blends: Ash and Heather Prism colors - 99% cotton, 1% polyester; Heather and Solid Blend colors - 52% cotton, 48% polyester; Athletic Heather and Black Heather - 90% cotton, 10% polyester.
